Virtual Nutrient Management Series (Episode 3): Agronomy for Dairies

Are you dialed into Nutrient Management on your farm? Tune in to our Virtual Nutrient Management Series and learn about tools to make the most of your nutrients, maximize crop yields, and minimize risk. In this series you will learn about the benefits of Application Risk Management, cover crops, soil and manure testing, and agronomy.

This episode features key tools and techniques that dairy farmers (or really any farmer!) can use for improved agronomy on their farm. Agronomy is simply defined as the science of soil management and crop production. Your approach to agronomy can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it. What’s important is finding a system that works for you in order to capture the information needed to guide you towards informed decision making. Good agronomy will help you maximize yields and efficiency by dialing in manure and/or fertilizer applications based on soil tests and manure analysis. The key to good agronomy is recordkeeping!

TOOLS FOR AGRONOMY:
SOIL TESTS
- Every year test for Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3-N) in September or October.
- Every three years run a comprehensive soil test for the following:
Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3-N)
Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4-N)
Bray Phosphorus (P-Bray)
Potassium
Organic Matter
pH
Electrical Conductivity
- Sample your soil at a depth of 12” – fields with same treatment can be combined.
- Learn how to take a soil sample: https://puyallup.wsu.edu/soils/soils/
- Find an accredited lab: https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/laboratorysearch/
- Make sure your maps are updated and match your application records.
- Need a map update? Call WhatcomCD at 360-526-2381 for free map updates.

MANURE TESTS
- Time manure sampling with your application so you know what the field is receiving.
- If possible, sample while agitating.
- At least once a year, test both solid and liquid manure for:
Total Nitrogen (TN)
Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4-N)
Phosphorus (P)

APPLICATION RECORDS
- Make sure to track the following information for each application:
Date
Field name/number (make sure it matches your map!)
Crop
Expected crop Yield
Manure type (solid, liquid, or slurry)
Amount applied (inches, gallons, loads, etc.)
Application method (big gun, splash plate, solids spreader, etc.)
Weather conditions (use the ARM Worksheet for easy documentation)

IRRIGATION RECORDS
- Track how many total inches each field receives annually

HARVEST RECORDS
- Track the following:
Date of harvest
Crop
Amount harvested (tons per acre)

EXPORT AND IMPORT RECORDS
- Document with a Transfer Agreement: https://www.whatcomcd.org/manure-transfer
- Record the following information:
Date of transfer
Amount of manure received or exported (gallons or tons)
Name and location of person supplying or receiving the manure

Full Virtual Nutrient Management Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkIVfeTNxZEk7qKAmYQdZElO6rjgvt1hP

This video has been made possible with support from Washington State Department of Agriculture (Washington State Department of Agriculture) and Better Ground (https://betterground.org/). Some video footage was provided by Veritas Media (https://veritasmediapro.com/).